The processes of providing baby clothes for third world hospitals, starts when bags which are clearly labeled (unwanted, good quality clothing), are distributed to households throughout the UK. These bags are left on peoples door steps, and then collected by various lorries.

From here the clothes are distributed around the UK, to non profitable organisations (such as charity shops). Where they are priced up, and hopefully sold on, in order to help the charity in which the shop supports. Some of the clothing that is received often has a brand name (Djeco).

If the charity shop doesn’t manage to sell the products in the shop, then they are then shipped on for use in third world countries.

When the clothing lands at its destination, it is usually taken to an enormous distribution centre, where every used item is sorted. Some of the clothing can be sold on in the third world, the other clothing is distributed to people who need it, and last of all if it felt that the clothing is of no use, then it will be recycled.

However, although this all sounds good over 30 countries have stopped the importation of this clothing. Those who haven’t banned it, have put other restrictions in the way of clothing reaching the needy, these include expensive licenses and high tariffs, which unfortunately make it to expensive for the companies with the clothes to ship them.

The reasons behind the ban vary, some countries feel that there dignity is taken away from them if they accept second hand clothing. However, these clothes are much needed for people in third world hospitals, and the people who cannot afford new clothes. For example if a Bolivian man was to buy a new shirt in his country, it would cost him around 70 Bolivan pesos, if he was to buy a second hand shirt it would cost him 5 pesos.

A lack of health education in deprived countries has also lead to these clothes being banned. Five years ago Cameroon wanted to ban the importation of second hand clothing fearing that it would help the spread of AIDS/HIV, and skin infections. If a little money was put into educating, this situation may not exist.

However, the clothing that does get through to the babies in third world hospitals, is well used and appreciated. It often means that babies who have come from a deprived back ground are given baby clothing (Baby Kleidung) which is equivalent to pajama’s, for while they are in hospital. On the patients discharge they are given clothing, which is used for outside wear.

So while the government worries about the spread of infections, and whether they loose face with the rest of the world by accepting second hand clothing. Providing baby clothes for third world hospitals certainly is of benefit for the babies who are born into hardship and have little. It also goes a long way to help the parents of these babies, who struggle on a day to day basis to provide essentials, such as food and water.